At Church

Other Traditions

Green Team

The Central Union Church Green Team Advisory Committee (GTAC) will research sustainable practices andeducate the congregation on sustainable ways“to live wisely within God’s creation”by way of conservation and compassion now and in the future. (Adopted May 2008)

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With grave concerns for the state of the environment, rising energy costs and our Christian faith calling us to act, the Central Union Church Sustainability Committee was formed in 2008. The purpose and mission of Central Union's Sustainability Ad Hoc Committee is to research and promote more sustainable practices and to educate the congregation on sustainable ways to live wisely within God's creation by way of conservation, compassion now and in the future. It is our goal to create a sustainable congregation proposal and to reduce our carbon footprint.

Now known as the Green Team, we take this opportunity to let our fellow church members know what we are working towards achieving.

1. We desire to eliminate the use of non-biodegradable disposable products on campus. These include plastic ware and styrofoam cups. These products are especially harmful to our
environment.

2. We are seeking ways to budget the installation of renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic to reduce our energy bill and reduce our carbon footprint.

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What is Sustainability?

"Sustainability is to give back to the earthwhat we take from the earthby living wisely in God's creation."

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Suggested ways to be more Sustainableat church and at home:

1. Take a pledge to stay green and make church more sustainable.

2. Buy only recycled-content paper and copying double-sided.

3. Use less toxic cleaning products.

4. Use efficient lighting systems to save energy.

5. Use reusable bags instead of plastic.

6. Conserve water with low-flow toilets and faucets.

7. Install solar photovoltaic panels.

8. Switch off lights, air conditioners, computers, fax and photocopiers when not in use.

9. Use neighborhood recycling bins or city supplied “blue cans”.

10. Be aware of production processes and byproducts and their potential harmful environmental effects, such as resource depletion (e.g., rainforest loss, overfishing, etc.) and pollution (e.g., river, coastal, land).

11. Increase life-cycle of purchased products. Making sure that Central Union Church commits to products that have a long life-cycle.

12. Buy local products when possible, as importing products, especially by airplane, contributes to climate change and ocean acidification.